
nass F nA 
Book ..Hi^vil. 





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^^^O^ICAL 8A-^^^^ 



% 



OF THE TOWN OF 



METHUEN, 



FROM ITS 



SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR 1876. 



BY JOS. S. HOWE. 




METHUEN, MASS.: 
E. L. Houghton & Co., Trinters, Currier's Building, Broadway. 

1S76. 






HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OP THE TOWN 



METHUEN, 



FROM JTS 



SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR -1876. 



BY JOS; S. HOWE. 




MKTHUKN, MASS.: 

E. L. Houghton & Co., Printees. Currier's Building, Bro«iwat. 

18711. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



It is not attempted in the following pages to pi'esent a com- 
plete history of the Town of Methuen. The limited time for 
preparation of this Sketch only admits a recitaL of the princi- 
pal facts. No attempt to write the early history of this town 
has ever been made, and as the old times recede, and old peo- 
ple drop into their graves, much valuable material is becoming 
lost forever. The investigation necessary to prepare this 
paper has shown, that by proper eftbrt many old traditions, 
and much valuable information, might be gathered which 
would be of great interest and value, not only to us, but to 
those who come after us. At present, however, we must be 
content with a rapid and imperfect statement of some of the 
principal facts in our history as a town. 

The native inhabitants of the valley of the Merrimack were 
the Penacook or Pawtucket Indians, of whom the Chief was 
Passaconnaway, always a firm friend of the settlers. These 
were subdivided into smaller tribes. The Agawams had their 
home on the coast, from the Merrimack to Cape Ann ; the 
VVamesits at the junction of the Concord and Merrimack riv- 
ers (Lowell) ; the Pentuckets at the mouth of " Little river," 
in Haverhill ; but no evidence appears showing that any par- 
ticular Indian tribe had its home in Methuen. It is certain, 
however, that Bodwell's tails (at the Lawrence dam,) and 
the shores of the Spicket as far as '•'■ Spicket fVdls," were fa- 
vorite resorts of the Indians, especially during the fishing sea- 
son. The rivers in those early days, and for many years 
afterwards, swarmed with salmon, shad, alewives, bass 



4 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

and sturgeon. The salmon was the principal fish used as 
food ; the shad and alewives were used by the Indians to 
manure their corn, and their example was followed by 
the settlers. It is said on good authority that it was no un- 
usual thing to specify in the articles of agreement between 
master and apprentice that the apprentice should not be re- 
quired to eat salmon above six times a week. 

Some years before the first settlement of the country, a vio- 
lent war broke out among the Indians, which resulted in the 
destruction of a large number. This was succeeded by a pes- 
tilence, which carried oft' many more, so that the number of 
Indians found by the first settlers in this region was very small. 
The greater part of Methuen was at first included in the town 
of Haverhill. That town was first settled in 1640 by about a 
dozen colonists from Newbury, headed by Mr. Nathaniel 
Ward. Two years after, the whole territory was purchased 
of the Indians, Passaquo and Saggahew, who are supposed 
to have been among the last of the Pentuckets. The original 
deed — of which the following is a copy — is now in possession 
of the city of Haverhill : 

"Know all Men by these Presents, that we, Passaquo and 
Saggahew, with ye consent of Passaconnaway : have sold unto ye 
inhabitants of Pentuckett all ye lands we have in Pentuckett ; that 
is eyght myles in length from ye little Rivver in Pentuckett West- 
ward ; Six myles in length from ye aforesaid liivver northward ; 
And six myles in length from ye foresaid Rivver Eastward, with ye 
Ileand and ye rivver that ye ileand stand in as far in length as ye 
land lyes by as formerly expressed : that is fourteen myles in 
length ; 

And wee ye said Passaquo and Sagga Hew with ye consent of 
Passaconnaway. have sold unto ye said inhabitants all ye right that 
wee or any of us have in ye said ground and Ileand and Rivver ; 

And we warrant it against all or any 'other Indians whatsoever 



OF METHUExN. 

unto ye said Inhabitants of Pentuckett, and to their heirs and as- 
signs forever. Dated ye fifteenth day of november Ann Dom 1642. 
Witness our hands and scales to this bargayne of sale ye day and 
year above written (in ye presents of us) we ye said Passaquo & 
Sagga Hew have received in hand, for & in consideration of ye 
same three pounds & ten shillings. 

JOHN WARD. 

r AbbAU V\> (a bow and arrow) 

TRISTRAM COFFIN, passaquo. [Seal] 

HUGH SHE RR ATT, 
WILLIAM WHITE, 

YE MARKE OF 
ye sign of ( 1 ) g^ GGA HEW (a bow and arrow) 

THOMAS DAVIS. ° sagga hew. [Beal] 

It is not easy to see exactly what the Indians intended to 
convey by this deed, nor does it apjDear to have been clear to 
the early settlers ; for no regular survey was made until i666, 
when we find that a committee was appointed by the General 
Court to "run the bounds of the Town of Haverhill." They 
began at the meeting-house, which was situated about half a 
mile east of Little river, and ran due west eight miles and 
"reared a heap of stones" (which point must have been a 
mile or two west of Salem village). Then they ran from that 
heap of stones due south until they touched the Merrimack 
(somewhere near the island east of the Bartlett farm), and 
north until they struck the northern line of the town. 

This western boundary of the town remained unchanged 
until Methuen was set off sixtv years afterwards. As finally 
determined the shape of the town of Haverhill was triangular. 
Starting from Holt's Rock (" Rocks Village.") the line ran 
due northwest until it met the north and south line from Mer- 
rimack River, as mentioned above. 

The strip of land, perhaps a mile and a half in width, be- 
tween Haverhill Line and "Drawcut" line seems to have been 
granted bv the General Court to individuals. An old plan in 



b HISTORICAL SKETCH 

the County records indicates that Major Denison. who had a 
grant of 600 acres from the General Court in 1660, owned 
more than a thousand acres on the river, above the Haverhill 
line, including what is now the Bartlett farm and lands south 
. and west. West of that was Col. Higginson's farm of over 
three hundred acres. A little north of these was Marshall 
Michelson's tract of three hundred acres. Printer Green had 
three hundred acres lying on each side of the brook which 
runs from "-White's pond," then called ''North pond." 

Thus it will be seen that tlie title to a great portion of the 
land in Methuen came directly from the aboriginal owners. 
It is said that the uplands at that time were mostly covered by 
a heavy growth of timber, except an occasional spot burned over 
by fires set by the Indians, The meadows were, many of 
them, cleared and covered with a tall and dense growth of 
grass. The Indians were accustomed to burn the grass in the 
fall, that they might more easily capture the deer resorting to 
them to feed on the young gi-ass in the spring. These mead- 
ows appear to have been much sought after by the early set- 
tlers, who obtained from tliem, the principal subsistence for 
their cattle. They cut and stacked the hay in the summer and 
in the winter drew it home on sleds. An early writer says of 
Haverhill: "The people are wholly bent to improve their 
labor in tilling the earth and keeping of cattel whose yearly 
increase encourages them to spend their days in those remote 
parts. The constant penetrating further into this Wilderness 
hath caused the wild and uncouth wood to be filled with fre- 
quented ways, and the large rivers to be overlaid'with Bridges 
passable both for horse and foot ; this town is of large extent, 
there being an overweaning desire in most men after meadow 
land," &c. The records of the town of Haverhill show that 
no one was admitted to the rights and privileges of the Colony 
unless first voted in l)v the town. 



OF METHUEN. 7 

The lands were divided among the inhabitants in accord- 
ance with a vote "That he who had £200 should have 20 
acres for his house lot, and every one under that sum to have 
acres proportioned for his house lot, together with meadow 
and common and planting ground proportionally." 

Lot-layers were chosen by the town to divide the land 
among the inhabitants as it was cleared up or became accessi- 
ble. From this mode of division it happened that one man 
would own a large number of small lots scattered over the 
whole town. It is now very difficult to exactly locate the lots 
as they are recorded in the Haverhill records, because they 
were usually bounded only bv marked trees. These descrip- 
tions show that some of our local names were of very ancient 
date. In 1673, thirty-two acres of land were laid o(T to John 
Clements, bounded by '' Sowes brook." In 167S, "-eleven 
score acres of upland " were laid oft* to James Davis, Sen., 
bounded on the west by Spicket river, Spicket falls being tRe 
southwest bound. In 1683, we find the recoi'd of a similar lot 
lying on the southerly side, running to '' Bloody brook" on 
the east, and taken up by James Davis. Jr. These lots in- 
cluded the land now occupied by the east part of Methuen 
village. 

In 1658, five acres of meadow were laid oft' in "Strongwa- 
ter" near a "little pond." In 1666, a parcel of meadow was 
laid out to Matthias Button, on the south side of "Spicket 
hill." In 1659, there was a division of the land west of the 
Spicket river, with a provision that 'Mf more than two acres 
meadow be found on any one lot it shall remain to the town." 
In the same year we find a record of the laying oft' three acres 
of land in "Mistake meadow" in the west part of Haverhill, 
whence we conclude the name originated in somebody's blun- 
der, and bv some mistake has become "Mystic." The distribu- 
tion of common lands was continued from time to time, until 



8 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



finally, after much contention between the old settlers and new- 
comers, the "Proprietors," or owners of the common land, 
organized separately from the town and disposed of the re- 
maining land as they saw fit. Our townsman. David Nevins, 
Esq., has in his possession a grant from the " proprietors," of 
the islands in the Spicket above the falls, to Asa and Robert 
Swan, for £2 10 shillings, and bearing tlie date of 1721. 

We can find no record showing when the first settlement was 
made within the present limits of Methuen, or who made it. 
It is certain that the east and south parts of the town near the 
river, were first occupied, doubtless because they were nearer 
the villages of Haverhill and Andover. We have been in- 
formed by Asa Simonds, Esq., that when repairing the old 
'•'• Bodwell house" — now in Lawi'ence — some years ago, a brick 
w^as found bearing the date 1660, which had been marked upon 
it before the brick was burnt. This would seem to indicate 
tlfat a house was built in the neighborhood near that date. 

It is not unlikely that further inquiry may fix the date and 
place of the first settlements here with considerable certainty. 
It seems doubtful whether there were many settlers in Methuen 
until near the time it was set ofi' from Haverhill. It is likely 
that the Indian troubles whicli extended over many years pre- 
vious to 1720, seriously checked, if they did not entirely pre- 
vent, the settlement on farms. Andover and Haverhill were 
made frontier towns by act of General Court and both towns 
suffered severely during the Indian war. But we have never 
seen a record of an Indian attack on settlers living upon terri- 
tory which afterwards became Methuen. There were many 
attacks on the scattered settlers in West Haverhill antl in An- 
dover, and if there had been many inhabitants in Methuen. it 
is hardly probable that the Indians would h.ave passed them by. 
There are some old traditions of encounters with the Indians, 
in this town, which we have not space to relate. The most 



OF METHUEN. 9 

important of these events took place in Feb. 1698 ; Jonathan 
Haynes and Samuel Ladd with their two sons had been to 
London meadow from their homes, in West Haverhill, for 
hay, each with a team consisting of a pair of oxen and a horse. 
The path lay along betwen Howe street and World's End 
pond. When returning home, just northeast of the pond, they 
were suddenly set upon by a party of Indians who had con- 
cealed themselves in the bushes on each side of the path. 
These Indians, fourteen in number, were returning from An- 
dover where they had killed and captured several persons. 
They killed Haynes and Ladd with their hatchets, took one 
of the boys prisoner and kept him for some years ; the other 
boy cut one of the horses loose, jumped on his back and got 
away. The Indians then killed the oxen, took out their 
tongues and the best pieces and went on their way. We find 
no record of trouble with the Indians after 1708. 

In 1 71 2, nine persons living in that part of Haverhill now 
Methuen, petitioned the town to abate their rates for the sup- 
port of the ministry and schools, and the town voted to abate 
one-half their taxes. In 1732, a petition was presented to the 
town of Haverhill by persons living in what is now Methuen, 
to be set off as a separate town or parish. This petition was 
not granted. The next year Joshua Swan and 26 others, with 
shrewd foresight, petitioned the Town of Haverhill to "set 
off fiftv or sixty acres of land southwest of Bare meadow, to- 
gether with a piece of land lying on a hill commonly called 
Meeting-house hill in times past, reserved by our forefathers 
for the use of the ministry, might in hard times make a con- 
venient parsona9;e, if bv the blessing of God the Gospel might 
so flourish amongst us, and we grow so prosperous as to be 
able to maintain and carry on the Gospel ministry amongst 
us." This petition was granted at the next town meeting, but 
it did not serve to make the petitioners less intent on a separ- 



10 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

ation. Soon after, Lieut. Stephen Barker and other inhabitants 
of the western part of Haverhill, petitioned the General Court 
for an act to incorporate them into a new town. The act 
passed in December, 1725, and was as follows : 



♦' An act for Dividing the Town of Haverhill and erecting a new 
Town there and in parts adjacent, by the name of M ethuen. Where- 
as the West part of the Town of Haverhill within the County of 
Essex, and parts adjacent not included within any Township is 
Competently filled with Inhabitants, who labor under great Difficul- 
ties by their remoteness from the place of Publick Worship, &c., 
and they having made their application to this Court that they may 
be set off a distinct and separate Town and be vested with all the 
Powers and Privileges of a Town. Be it therefore enacted by the 
Lieutenant Governor, Council and l^epresentatives in General Court 
assembled and by the authority of the same. That the West part 
of the said Town of Haverhill with the land adjoining be, and hereby 
are set off and conscituted a separate Township by the name of 
Methuen, the bounds of the said Township to be as follows, viz : — 
Beginning at the mouth of Hawkes' Meadow Brook, so called, in 
Merrimack River, and from thence to run half a point to the north- 
ward of the northwest to an heap of stones, or till it intersect Hav- 
erhill line ; from thence upon a straight course to the head of Duns- 
table line, and so upon Dracut line about four miles to a pine 
southeast, frome thence six miles or thereabouts upon Dracut line, 
South to Merrimack Kiver, and from thence to run down said river 
ten mile and forty pole till it come to the first mentioned bounds. 
And that the inhabitants of the said lands as before described and 
bounded, be and heieby are invested with the Powers, Priviliges 
and immunities that the Inhabitants of any of the towns of this 
Province by law are or ought to be vested with. 

Provided, That the Inhabitants of the said Town of Methuen, 
do within the space of Three Years from the Publication of this 
Act. erect and finish a suitable house for the Publick Worship of 
God, and procure and settle a Learned, Orthodox minister of good 
conversation and make provision for his comfortable and honorable 
support, and that they set apart a lot of Two Hundred arces of land 



OF METHUEN. 11 

in some convenieat Place in the said Town, for the use of the 
ministry, and a lot of fifty acres for the use of a School. And that 
thereupon they be discharged from any further payments for the 
maintenance of the ministry in Haverhill. And be it further en- 
acted by the authority aforesaid, That the Inhabitants of the said 
Town of Methuen, be and and hereby are empowered to assess all 
the lands of Non Eesidents lying within the said town. Two pence 
per acre towards the building of the Meeting House, and settling 
of a minister there. Provided, nevertheless that there be and here- 
by is made a Reservation or Saving of the Right and property of the 
Province Lands (if any there be) within the bounds aforesaid, to 
this Province." 

It was ordered by the Court ''that Mr. Stephen Barker, a 
principal inhabitant of the Tow^n of Methuen be, and hereby 
is empow^ered and directed to notifie and summons the inhabi- 
tants of the said town duly qualified for voters, to assemble 
and meet sometime in the month of March next, to choose 
town officers according to law, to stand for the year." In 
compliance with this order a meeting was appointed for the 
ninth of March. The following is a copy of the record of 
that first town meeting held in Methuen : 

• • A tt our first annual meeting in the town of methuen, march 
ye 9th 1725,6 Leutanent Stephen Barker was leaguly chosen mod- 
erator for ye meeting. 

Att the same meeting william whittier was chosen town dark & 
sworn for ye yer insewing. 

Att the same meeting selectmen war leaguly chosen for ye year. 

1 JOHN BAIIiKY, ") Select men sworn 

2 EBENEZER BARKER, I to the faithful discharg 
3' ASlE SWAN, S-of the ofies of assesers 

4 DANIEL BODWEL, august yc second 1726 

5 THOMAS WHITTIER. j before me William Whittier 

town dark. 

att ye same meeting Richard swan is leaguly chosen cunstable for 
the year insewing. 

voted that the cunstable or colector shall be paid one shilling for 



12 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

each twenty shillings of money that he shall colect or gather of the 
Taxes which shall be laied upon the nonrazedance or peopel which 
belong to other towns. March ye 9th 1725,6 the toun voated that 
Thomas silver should be excepted to serve cunstable or colector in- 
stead of Eichard swan for ye year insewing and ye same day thomas 
silver was sworn to the fathfuU discharge of the office of a cunsta- 
ble by the selectmen of methuen. Robert swan is leaguly chosen 
town treasurer att the same meeting march ye 9 for ye year insew- 
ing. town treasurer sworn. 

1 ROBERT SWAN. ^ of hishwaye 
Serveirsof 2 EPHRAIM CLARK, i serveirs all sworn, 
high ways. 3 BENJAMIN STEPHKNS, [ 

4 THOMAS MASSER. J 

fence vewers JOHN I. CROSS, 

SAMUELL STEPHENS. 2 Both sworn. 

Tithen men 1 JAMES HOW, 

2 WILLIAM GLTTTERSON. Both tithen sworn, 
field drivers 1 JOHN HASTINGS, 

2 ZEBADIAH AUSTING. 

att the same meeting March ye 9 172."'), in SAMUEL SMITH 

1 hog riefs 

hoge riefs was leaguly chosen j THOMAS AITSTING 

J Both sworn. 

Att ye same meeting march ye 9 voted yt hogs should go att large 
acording to law. 

Att a town meeting march ye 9 1725,6. 

Voted that the select men should have power to a gree with an 
athadoxt minester to serve in the work of the miuestry for ye year 
insewing and not to exceed five and forty pownds and find the min- 
ester his diat. 

So far as we can leani, no other town in the country bears 
the name of "Methuen." How this name originated has been 
a matter of considerable speculation. Some have thought 
that it took its name from a town in Scotland called "Meth- 
ven," and others have supposed that this town was named in 
honor of Lord Methven of Scotland. A. C. Goodell, Esq. , 



OF METHUEN. 13 

preparing the Provincial Laws 
for publication, suggests a theory which we think must be the 
true one. It was a common thing in those days, when a town 
was incorporated, for the Governor to give it a name. The 
act of incorporation was passetl l)y the Legislature, engrossed 
and sent to the Governor, with a space for the name in blank. 
When it was presented for his signature, he inserted the name 
in the proper place. 

The original act of Incorporation of the Town of Methuen, 
in the office of the Secretary of State, clearly shows that the 
name was inserted by a hand different from the one that en- 
grossed the bill. The act is written upon the parchment in a 
large, full hand, while the name is written in a small, running 
hand, and with ink of a different cc^lor, but similar to that used 
by Gov. Dummer in writing his signature. 

A careful examination of the writing leaves little doubt that 
Gov. Dummer wrote the name with his own hand when he 
attached his signature. Of course it is now impossible to give 
with certainty the reason which suggested the name to him. 
But at that time there was one Lord Paul Methuen who was 
Privy Councellor to the King, and who was for some years prom- 
inent in the English Government. It is altogether likely that 
the town was named for him and it is also prettv certain that 
these facts are about all we can ever learn about it. 

We find from the town records that nine town meetings were 
held during the first year, and that the principal business was 
locating the meeting-house and perfecting the necessary ar- 
rangements for religious service. At that time, and for many 
years after, the minister and meeting-house were supported by 
a town tax, as schools and highways are now. 

Unfortunately at the outset, a bitter quarrel sprang up con- 
cerning the location of the meeting-house. On the 28th of 
May, 1726. a meeting was called to " prefix" a place whereon 



14 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

to build a meeting-house. Twenty-eight persons voted in favor 
of locating the house "between James Davis' and Samuel 
Smith's house" (Powder House hill,) twenty-two entered 
their " dissent against the meeting-house being carried from tlie 
meeting-house land, or hill so called," — the land which had 
been granted by Haverhill two years before — and supported 
their "■dissent" by a quaint and vigorous argument. The 
dispute waxed hot, meeting after meeting was held, votes 
to pi'ovide labor and material were carried and reconsideretl, 
but the majority ^nally prevailed and the new meeting-house 
was raised and boarded on " Powder House hill." The mi- 
nority, however, were determined not to be beaten , and petitioned 
the General Court to reverse the popular decision. The com- 
mittee appointed by the Court to visit the place concluded that 
the parsonage lot "was the properest place for the meeting- 
house to stand," so the minority were victorious, and in May, 
1737, the town voted to remove the frame to the "■ place where 
the Court ordered it should stand." 

The town records show that the Sunday services, as well as 
the town meetings, were held at the house of Asie Swan until 
the meeting-house was ready for occupancy. Asie Swan 
seems to have been a man " prominent in those days" and his 
house is said to have been situated a little east of Prospect 
hill. The meeting-house was " forty feet long, thirty feet 
wide, and twenty feet stud." There was but one pew, and 
that for the minister's family, the congregation generally being- 
seated on benches. There were no means of heating the house 
in cold weather, until within the recollection of persons now 
living, and in the cold winter mornings the humble worshippers 
must have needed a fiery discourse to make them comfortable. 
It is said that there was a tavern in those days on the " Frye 
place " to which the meeting goers usually resorted at noon, 
where they found a kettle of hot water ready, and plenty of 



OF METHUEN. 15 

spiritual comfort less etherial than that which they received 
within the sacred edifice. 

The first road laid out by the Town of Methuen extended 
from somewhere on '' Hawkes Meadow brook to James 
Howe's well," and was probably a part of Howe street north 
of the Taylor farm. The records of the Town of Haverhill 
show that previous to that time a large number of town ways 
had been laid out in the west part of the town — probably for 
convenience in reaching the meadows and woodland. At this 
distance of time it is almost impossible to trace them unless 
they happen to touch some well known point. They general- 
Iv commence at a marked tree, by some path, thence to some 
other tree, thence to a stump marked, and finally come out at 
another path, and are almost invariably two rods wide. 

The roads of those days were probably little better than an 
ordinary cart patli in the woods. Occasionally we find a 
record of money paid to the owners of land over which a pub- 
lic way passed, but no money appears to have been paid by 
the town for building. In fact scarcely more than a path was 
necessary, for there were no vehicles but ox carts and sleds. 
People traveled on horseback and went to market with their 
goods in saddlebags. Indeed it is said by persons now living 
in the town that within their recollection there were no 
wagons ot any kind, or pleasure carriages except a few chaises, 
which were introduced about the beginning of the century. 

The Town of Methuen as originally set off, included a large 
part of Salem, N. H., and perhaps a joart of Windham. 
There seems to have been a tract of land between Haverhill 
and Dracut not comprised within the limits of any town. This 
tract was added to that part of Haverhill set ofi" to Methuen, 
making a town nearly as large as Haverhill after the dixision. 
In 1741, the line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire 
was fixed substantially as it now runs, three miles from Mer- 



16 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

rimack river, and parallel with it. We have often wondered 
why it w^as, that the parties who fixed the State line, did not 
either make the line straight, or make the river the dividing 
line. The facts seem to have been as follows : The charter 
first given to the Massachusetts colony granted " all that pai't 
of New England lying between three miles to the north of the 
Merrimack and three miles to the south of the Charles river 
and of every part thereof in the Massachusetts Bay ; and in 
length between the described breadth from the Atlantic Ocean 
to the South Sea." Under the charter the Massachusetts colo- 
ny claimed that their northern boundary was three miles to the 
north of the northernmost point of the Merrimack, and they 
fixed upon a rock near the outlet of Lake Winnipisseogee. as 
the most northern part of the river. This would give to Mas- 
sachusetts a large part of Vermont and New Hampshire, and 
a lai-ge section in Maine. The New Hampshire grantees 
claimed that under the Massachusetts charter the line could not 
extend in anv place more than three miles from the river. 
The territorv between these lines became disputed ground con- 
cerning which there was constant contention. In 1720. the 
New Hampshire colonists modified their claim, so far as to 
propose that the line should begin at a point three miles north 
from the mouth of the Merrimack, and thence run due west to 
the South Sea. The Massachusetts Colony refused to agree to 
this, and the contention became more violent until finally the 
Legislatures of the two colonies tnet, — the New Hampshire 
Legislature at Hampton Falls, and the Massachusetts at vSalis- 
burv, for the purpose of settling the difiiculty. They appoin- 
ted committees of conference, but were unable to agree, and 
after several weeks of angry discussion the whole subject was 
referred to the King of England for decision. The matter was 
decided by the King in Council in 1740. and it was decreed 
that the northern boundarv of the Province of Massachusetts 



OF METHUEN. 17 

Bay, "is and be a similar curved line pursuing the curve of 
Merrimack River at three miles distance, on the north side 
thereof and beginning at the Atlantic Ocean." 

This deci-ee gave to New Hampshire seven hundred square 
miles more than she asived for, and a line crooked as the curve 
of the river. Tradition says that this decision was brought 
about by sharp practice on the part of the agent appointed by 
New Hampshire to lay the subject before the King. This 
boundary line has since remained vnichanged. It cut ofl' a 
large slice of the original territory of the town of Methuen, 
but it is not likely there were many inhabitants except in the 
neighborhood of " Spicket hill," where thei'e must have been 
quite an important settlement. 

The exact number of inhabitants at that time in the whole 
town is unknown. An old tax book among the town records, 
shows that the number of persons taxed in Methuen in 1740, 
was 165, of which 71 lived in that part of the town cut off by 
the New Hampshire line, and S5 in the present limits of 
Methuen. 

The fact that strikes us most forcibly in reading over the 
early town records, is the prominence given to religious ob- 
servances. The chief and only reason 'given for setting oft' 
the new town, was that the people might more easily attend 
the public worship of God. The first business done was to 
provide themselves a minister and place of public worship. 
Their principal money tax was for the support of these objects. 
Nothing could show more plainly that the hardy pioneers of 
Methuen were of genuine Puritan stock. Whatever we may 
think of Puritan austerity and fanaticism and intolerance, we 
cannot help admiring the indomitable energy, the iron will, 
and lofty purpose of these men who braved the dangers of 
hostile Indians and suffered the privations of the wilderness, 
that they might worship God in their own wav. The old pa- 



18 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

pers which have been preserved, the town records, and the old 
traditions, all show that the first settlers in Methuen were men 
of rugged, vigorous intellect, accustomed to think for them- 
selves, and not afraid to express their opinions. 

Our forefathers seem to have provided for the educational 
interests of the town at an early date. In 1733, we find that 
Ebenezer Barker, Zebediah Barker and Thomas Eaton were 
each paid £z los. for keeping school. In 1731, the town 
voted to keep school one month in Ebenezer Barker's hotjse, 
one month in Thomas Eaton's and a month at Joshua Swan's. 
In 1735, the town voted to build a school-house iSx20 feet, 
near the meeting-house, school to be kept two months at the 
school-house and one month at Spicket hill. The school ap- 
pears to have been kept at the school-house part of the time, 
but chiefly at private houses until i79'^* Reading and writing 
and a little arithmetic were the principal branches taught, and 
the latter study was not required. The schools appear to have 
been taught by male teachers only until 1749, when it was 
voted "to choose schoolmistresses to instruct children in their 
reading. Also voted to choose a committee to agree with 
schoolmistresses and appoint convenient places foi- them to bt? 
kept in." 

in 1775, the town was divided into seven school districts 
each of which was to have its proportion of the school money, 
provided it built a comfortable school-house. Up to that time 
the Selectmen usually had the sole care of the schools. Air. 
David Nevins has in his possession the return made by the 
committee whose duty it was to build the school-houses, from 
which it appears that the building of them was let out at auc- 
tion to the lowest bidder, and the houses cost about £39 each. 
The town also appropriated in the same year £30 for schools, 
and continued to appropriate that amount each year until 1793. 
Sixty pounds a year was afterwards appropriated for three 



OF METHUEN. 19 

years or until 1795- when the first mention of "dollars" ap- 
pears in the town records. A pound at that time appears to 
have been equivalent to $3.33. In 1797, $300 was appropri- 
ated, and the amount was increased from time to time, until 
in 1833. the sum appropriated for schools was $600. 

From that time to the present, the increase in the annual 
school appropriation has more than kept pace with the growth 
in population until the present year, when the amount ap- 
propriated for schools was $Sooo. 

The inhabitants of the town seem to have "• kept the noise- 
less tenor of their way " for the first fifty years with little to 
molest or make them afraid. If any important disturbances 
took place we find no record of them. There was no census 
until 1765, but we judge from the increase in the number of 
tax payers, that the growth was simply the slow and steady 
increase of an exclusively agricultural population. As the 
land gi-adually became cleared, it become more thickly dotted 
with dwellings. 

I'he produce raised upon the farms, and food taken from the 
river supplied nearly all the wants of the inhabitants. The 
money necessary for their few purchases, and the payment of 
taxes, was obtained partly by the sale of wood and timber 
which was rafted to Newburyport, partly by the production 
of flax which was sold to the inhabitants of Londonderry, and 
partly probably by the sale of some unimportant products, 
such as they could carry 011 horseback to Salem. They had 
frequent town meetings every year. Every small matter, such 
as is now passed upon by the Board of Selectmen, was brought 
before the whole town, even to the allowance of the smallest 
order. But the principal town business was the management 
of religious matters. 

In 1729, a committee was chosen to '' Discourse with Rev. 
Christopher Sargent in order to his settlement with us in the 



20 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

work of the ministry." After considerable discussion betweV ^n 
Mr. Sargent and the people, it was voted to settle him, giving- 
him as a salary i£So a year, for four years, and then £igo a 
year so long as he should continue to be their minister. It is 
an item, worthy of notice — indicating the amount of wood then 
necessary for a small family, — that Mr. Sargent, at tirst asked 
the town to furnish him in addition to his salary 30 cords of 
wood per year. Mr. Sargent remained pastor for more than 
fifty years, luitil old age forced him to resign his charge in 
1783. In the eloquent language of one of his successors.* 
" After laying down his work the good old man lived among 
his people till his death in 1790, March 30. They buried him 
in the grave yard on Old Meeting-house hill * and his sepulchre 
is with us till this day.' Close to the dear old walls within 
which for fifty-three years his voice had proclaimed the gospel 
of peace they laid him. And so it was that on summer days 
when the windows were open and the sermon went on the 
straying breeze, it tenderly carried the well loved words from 
the preachers' lips to his lowly mound, and waved the violets 
above his head — and the sleeper slept." 

In 1774, the inhabitants of the west part of Methuen peti- 
tioned to be set oft' with the easterly part of Dracut to make a 
new township, '■'• so that both the above said towns may be 
better accommodated to attend public worship." The proposed 
line of the new town commenced just east of '' Bodwell's 
ferry" (Tower hill), and ran northwest until it met the Pro- 
vince line one hundred and fifty-six poles west of Splcket 
river, thus cutting oft' a large portion of the town. There 
was a strong opposition on the part of Methuen, and the scheme 
failed. 

About this time we begin to find indications of the coming 
contest. The first record we find of any action by the town 

'■' Rev. T. G. Grassie. 



OF METHUEN. 21 

relative to the questions then stirring the public mind, is a vote 
passed in August, 1774, to pay one pound, sixteen shillings and 
seven jjence, lawful money, to defray the charges of the Prov- 
incial Congress. A little later in the year the town voted in 
substance, not to pay the province rates, but instead, '■' That 
the Selectmen conduct themselves respecting the Constable's 
Warrants according to the Provincial Congress Instructions." 

No other record of anv action at that time appears in the 
regular records of the town, but on one of the last leaves of 
the book we find the follovvirig : 

"At a leggel meeting ei the freeholders and other Inhabitants of 
the Town of Methuen held By adjournment from the ninth of Au- 
gust 1774 to the 20th of September 1774. 

Taking into Serious Consideration the Stat: of public Affairs, 
Voted that a Committee be chosen to consult and Advise with Each 
other Likewise with Committees of other Towns and if need be to 
communicate to any other Town any meeuers that may appear to be 
conducive to the publick Benefite more Especlay to be Watch-full 
that no Encrochments are not made on our Coeititutinal Eights and 
Liberties, that we may enjoy the Blessing we have Left in peace 
and not be Deprived of them from aney quarter but may Devise 
prosecute the most vigerous and reseleute mesures as far as Lyes in 
our sphere retrieve our invaluable privelages. Voted that this Com- 
mittee consist of tifteeu persons. 

STEPHEN BARKER Esq., JOHN MUSE, 

JOHN BODWELI , JAMES MALLOON, 

NATHANIEL PETTENGILL, JOHN PETTENGILL, 
SAMEEL BODWELL, LIEUT. JOHN SARGENT, 

CUTTING MARSH, RICHARD WHITTIER, 

DAVID WHITTIER, EBENEZER CALTON. 

JONATHAN SWAN, JOHN MASTEN. 

JAMES JONES, 
Voted that the above should be entered in the Town Clerks office. 

That the people began to contemplate the possibilty of war 
with Great Britain is indicated by the following, which is an 



22 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



exact copy of the original now in the possession of A. C. 
Goodell, Esq., of Salem : 

" Whareas milartrary Exercise hath been much nelicked We the 
Suhcrbers being the first comptrey in methuen Do Covenant and 
Engage To from our sevels in to a Bodey in order to Laru the man- 
ual Exercise To be Subegat To Such officers as the Comptrey shall 
chuse by Voat in all constutenel marsher according to our Chattaers. 

methuen ye 6 th or octr 1774. 



James Jones, 
Ichabod Perkins, 
James Wilson, 
Timothy Eaton, 
Ebenezer Colton, 
Thomas Runnels, 
Henry Morss, 
Samviel Messer, 
Daniel Messer, 
Nathl Haseltine, 
Richard Hall, 
Samuel Parker, 
Stephen Webster, Jr.. 
Jacob Messer, 
Daniel R. Whittier, 
Samuel Webber, 
Jacob Hall, 
Amos Gage, 
John Cross, 
Nathan Russ, 
Richard Jaques, 
Silas Brown, 
William Whittier, 
John Marsten, Jr., 
Nathaniel Smith Messer 
James Silver, Jun., 
Abiel How, 
Timothy Emerson, 
Joshua Emerson, Jr., 



Robert Hastings, 
James Chase, 
Nath. Herrick, 
Joseph Plastings, 
Kimball Calton, 
Richard Currier, 
Ebenezer Eaton. 
Simeon Hasttins, 
John How, Jr., 
Farnum Hall, 
Ephraim Clark, 
William Runels, 
Asa Currier, 
Nathaniel Messer. 
Ebenezer Messer, 
Nathan Perley, 
John Keley, 
Asa Messer. 
John Eaton, 
John Davison, 
William Stevens, 
Simeon Cross, 
Francis Swan, Junr 
James Davison, 
Jacob How, 
Elijah Carlton, 
Joseph How, 
Jonathan How, 
Asa Morss, 



OF METHUEN. 23 

Oliver Emerson, Nathl Clark, 

Timothy How, John Merrill, 

Isaac Barker, Abiel Cross, 

Theodore Emerson. 

the ferst Compyney in Methuen meat att Mr. Ebon Carlton's in 
order To Chuse officers, and thay chose Lieut. Benj'm Hall Moder- 
ator, they Chose Mr. James Jones for thar Capt, Mr. Ichobied 
Perkins furst Lent. Mr. James Wilson Sonent Lent. Mr. Sam 1. 
Messer Ens. Mr. ^ath 11. JMesser Jr. Clark for said Compyney. 

Clark 
WILLIAM PAGE for sd. 
* metten. 

methuen ye G of Octor 1774. 

In Jan. 1775, the town voted to give to the poor of the Town 
of Boston by subscription, and chose a committee to receive 
the donations. At the same meeting it was voted that minute- 
men be " drawn out or exposed to train" who should have 
eight pence per day to the last of March. At the annual 
meeting in March, it was voted to provide bayonets ''which 
should be brought to Capt. John Davis and after the service 
was over said Davis is to return said bayonets unto the Select- 
men of said town." Soon after the town voted to provide 
guns for all minute-men unable to furnish themselves, also to 
provide blankets and cartridges. 

Another interesting document, dated about this time, is also 
found out of place on one of the last leaves of the book 01 
records, as follows : , 

" We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee by the Town 
of Methuen to give some instructions to a certain Committee of 
Safety and Correspondence that was chosen by this town in Sep- 
tember last, or may hereafter be chosen, as above, that it is recom- 
mended that the above committee do strictly observe and conform to 
the instructions hereafter mentioned. 

First. That you will be vigilant in this time of public distress, 



24 HisTamcAL sketch 

that (no) infractions, violations be made on the good and whole- 
some laws of this province whereby the morals of the people are en- 
dangered of being corrupted, and in case you should be unsuccessful 
in your endeavors in all proper ways, then to publith their names 
that the public may see and know them to be enemies to their coun- 
try and the privileges of the same. 

Secondly. That you correspond with committees of other towns 
if you see it needful, as may be necessary on all important occasions. 

Thirdly. As a Committee of Inspection, we recommend to you 
that you will not buy or purchase any British manufactures or su- 
perfluities in your families, but such as are of absolute necessity, 
and likewise that you recommend to others to do the same, for we 
think that a reformation of this will greatly tend to lessen our pri- 
vate expense and the better enable us to bear the publick charges 
and prevent those mischiefs that may ensue thereupon. 

Fourthly. That you will suppress as much as possible those 
persons, if any such there be, who travel as pedlers to introduce 
British goods and impose on the inconsiderate which may impover- 
ish us. And whereas it is said that our enemies are sending out 
spies in order to get information of our schemes and plans which 
are contrived for our defense, so as they may frustrate them, it is 
recommended that you take care that they receive that resentment 
due to their deeds. 

Fifthly. If any trader or other person within this town shall 
take the advantage of the present distressed circumstances in Amer- 
ica, and by an avaricious thirst after gain shall raise the price of 
any comodity whatsoever beyond their usual, reasonable price, or 
shall use their influence by words or actions to weaken the measures 
advised by the Grrand Continental Congr( ss, when made to appear 
to you that he or they persist in the same, you are to publish their 
names that they may be publickly known and treated as enemies to 
their country. 

JAMES IN GALLS, 
JONATHAN SWAN, \- Committee. 
JOHN HLTSE, 
Methuen, April 4th, 1775. 



!'^ 



OF METHUEN. 25 

It will be noticed that this paper was dated about two weeks 
before the oattle of Lexington. It indicates the resolute delib- 
erate earnestness with which our fathers entered the contest, 
and that our humble ancestors in Methuen were as fully im- 
bued with the spirit of resistance to tyranny as the more widely 
known men of the time. Our town records are silent in re- 
gard to the events at Lexington and Bunker Hill. It probably 
never occurred to our ancestors that their children would listen 
to a recital of their actions on those great days, with a feeling 
of pride such as no other event in our history can arouse. 

But fortunately we are not without an official record of the 
part Methuen had in those great events. The archives at the 
State House contain the names of those who went from Me- 
thuen on the memorable 19th of April, and also the names of 
the Methuen company who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
So many Methuen people will take an honest pride in seeing 
the names of their ancestors included in that roll of honor, that 
we give the full list of names just as they are found on the 
original muster rolls now on file in the office of the Secretary 
of State. 

"Capt. John Davis' Company, in Col. Frye's Regt. enlisted 
Feb. 14th, 1775 " : 

Capt., John Davis Amos Harramon, 

ist Lieut., Nath'l Herrick Daniel Morse, 

2d " Eliphalet Bodwell, James Ordway, 
Sergt., Eleazer Carleton, Ebenezer Herrick, 

" Richard Hall, Daniel Messer, 

" Francis Swan, Nathan Russ, 

" Jona. Barker, James Ingalls, 

Corp'l, Jonathan Baxter, James Davison, 

" William Stevens, Amos Gage, drummer, 

" John Davison, Joseph Morse, 

" Joshua Emerson, Dudley Noyes, 



26 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



James Campbell, 
Silas Brown, 
Enos Kings 
Asa Morse, 
Eben'r Pingrief, 
Simeon Tyler, 
Joseph Jackson, 
Aaron Noyes, 
Parker Bodwell, 
Solomon Jennings, 
Joshua Bodwell, 
Dudley Bailey, 
James Silver, 

Samuel Barker 
This muster roll made for seven 
Sworn 
49 



Joseph Hibbard, 

Prince Johnnot, 

Daniel Jennings, 

Wm. Whitcher, 

Nathan Swan, 

Peter Barker, 

Peter Webster, 

John Swan, 

Daniel Bailey, 

Thomas Bace, 

Jeremiah Stevens, 

Ebenezer Sargent, 

John Merrill, 
, Fifer. 

days from April 19th. 
to. JOHN DAVIS. 



" Muster roll of the following number or party of men that 
belonged to Methuen, in the County of Essex, on the alarm 
on the 19th of April, 1775, and never joined to any particular 
commanding officer" : 



Capt., James Mallon, 
Abner Morrill, 
Isaac Austin, 
Isaac Austin, Jr., 
Benj. Henuck, 
Peter Harris, 
Joseph Griffin, 
Francis Richardson, 
Elisha Parker, 
John Parker, Jr., 
Isaac Hughs, 



Timothy Chellis, 

Bodwell, 3d, 

Austin, Jr., 

Parker, Jr., 

Obadiah Morse, 
Wm. Russ, Jr., 
Wm McCleary, 
Hezekiah Parker, 
Jesse Barker, 
Moses Morse, 
James Dennis. 



OF METHUEN. 



27 



'■'■The pay roll of the company under the command of Major 
Samuel Bodvvell, exhibited in consequence of the alarm on 
the 19th of April" : 



ist Lieut., David Whittier 
2d " Nath.Pettengill 
Ensign, Enoch Merrill, 
Clerk, John Hughs. 
Sergt., John Mansur, 
Wm. Gutterson, 
Nath'l Pettengill, 
Thomas Pettengill, 
Dudley Pettengill, 
Daniel Tyler, 
John Pettengill, Jr., 
Sam'l Cross, 
John Bodwell, 
Parker Richardson, 
Thos. Dow, 
Wm. Bodwell, 
Wm. Morse, 
John Barker, 
Simeon Dow, 
Samuel Cole, 
Samuel Hughs, 
John Pettengill, 



John Webber, 
Benj. Mastin, 
Elijah Sargent, 
Joshua Stevens, 
John Whittier, Jr., 
Abel Merrill, 
Joseph Morrill, 
John Richardson, 
Wm. Richardson, 
Nath'l Hibbard, 
James Hibbard, 
Bodwell Ladd, 
John Ladd, 
Stephen Barker, 
Mitchell Davis, 
Eben'r. Barker, 
Nehemiah Barker, 
Sam'l Richardson, 
Enoch Cheney, 
Jona. Barker, Jr., 
Benj. Stevens, J., 
John Hibbard, Jr., 
Wm. Hibbard. 
45 



" Capt. James Jones' pay roll for the campaign on the defence 
of the country at the battle at Concord, made at the rate of 28 
days per month, 4 days' service " : 

Capt., James Jones, Isaac Barker, 

Lieut., Ichabod Perkins, Day Emerson, 



28 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

Sergt., Timothy Eaton, Joseph Perkins, 

" Nathan Perley, Jona. How, 

Ephraim Clark, Nath'l S. Clark, 

" Jacob Messer, John Tippets, 3d, 

Corp., Nath'l Haseltine, Oliver Emerson, 

" Elijah Carleton, James Messer, 

" Simeon Cross, Henry Mors, 

Drummer, John Kelly. Stephen Webster, Jr., 

Abiel Cross, Elisha Perkins, 

William Page, Job Pingrey, 

Moses Sargent, Joseph Cross, 

James Fry, Asa Cross, 

Thomas Herrick, John Morris, 

Joseph Granger, Kimball Carleton. 
32 

In the Company of Capt. Charles Furbush : 
Theodore Emerson, James Silver, 

Isaac Maloon, John Hancock, 

Jos. Pettengill, Nehemiah Kidah, 

Abraham P. Silver, Daniel Pettengill. 

Total 156. 

The number of inhabitants in Methuen in 1776, according 
to the Colonial Census, was 1336. The old tax book of that 
year gives the names of 352 poll tax payers. 

Prabably every one will share our own astonishment to find 
that old Methuen sent 156 men at the first call to meet the 
British. This would now be equivalent to about 600 men, or 
more than we see presenr at an annual town meeting. Noth- 
ing we have ever heard or read so forcibly impresses us with 
the universal, deep-seated determination of our fathers to pro- 
tect their rights, at all hazards, as this simple list of names. 
No orator has so eloqnently told the story of the popular up- 



OF METHUEN. 29 

rising when Concord and Lexington were attacked. When 
we consider that they were not called out by any order of the 
authorities, that their enthusiasm had not been stirred by ap- 
jDcals from the daily press or by public speakers, that they only 
knew from the signal guns and fires on the hills that the British 
were in motion, and that nearly every able-bodied man in town, 
must, of his own accord, have shouldered his musket and 
marched, at a moment's warning, to meet the foe, we cannot 
help feeling the blood tingle in our veins with an honest pride 
in such an ancestry. If this was a sample of the Revolution- 
ary spririt, all wonder ceases that the colonies were successful 
against such fearful odds. 

No other important event took place until the battle of Bunker 
Hill, on the 17th of June following, in which it is certain that 
a Methuen company bore an important part. The followino- 
is a copy of the original muster roll on file at the State House : 

Cambridge, Oct. 5, 1775. 
''Return of the men's names, when they enlisted, and where 
they belonged. Belonging to Capt. John Davis' Company in 
Col. Frye's Regiment : 

Capt., John Davis, Jeremiah Stevens, 

ist Lieut., Nath'l Herrick, James Silver, 
3d '' Eliphalet Bodwell, Simeon Tyler, 

Major, Jonathan Barker, Drummer, Amos Gage, 

Serg,, Ebenezer Carleton, Fifer, Samuel Barker, 

" Richard Hall, James Campbell, 

" Francis Swan, James Davison, 

" Peter Barker, Mitchel Davis, 

Corp., Jonathan Baxter, Amos Harriman, 

" William Stevens, Lazarus Hubbard, 

" Joshua Emerson, Ebenezer Herrick, 

" John Davison, Died June 17. 



30 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

Abraham Anness, Joseph Hibbard, 
John Asten, Died June 20. 

Silas Brown, James Ingalls, 
Parker Bodwell, Died July 8. 

David Bailey, Dudley Noyes, 

Dudley Bailey, Aaron Noyes, 

Timothy Chcllis, Peter Webster, 

David Corliss, James Woodbury, 

James Ordway, Ebenezer Sargent, 

Samuel Parker, Ebenezer Pingrief, 

Thomas Pace, Joshua Bodwell, 
Nathan Russ, In train June 17. 

John Swan, Solomon Jennings, 
Nathan Swan, In train June 17. 

47 

It is by no means certain that the above list includes the 
names of all Methuen men in the service at that time. It is 
much to be regretted that our knowledge of the particular 
part which the Methuen Company had in that battle is so 
meager. It is known that it was in the thickest of the fight, 
and that it was among the last to leave the redoubt. It is said 
that it came near being surrounded towards the end of the bat- 
tle, and that as the enemy came up on each hand a British sol- 
dier ran up to Capt. Davis, saying, '■'' Vou are my prisoner." 
Capt. Davis, who was a resolute, powerful man, replied, "I 
guess not," at the same time running the soldier through with 
his sword. 

The blood spurted over his breeches as he drew back the 
sword, but he made his escape. It is also said that he took 
one of his wounded men upon his back just after escaping 
from the redoubt, and carried him out of the reach of danger. 
As he was crossing the hollow between the hills, which was 
exposed to the fire from a British vessel, he saw before him a 



OF METHUEN. 3i 

board fence. Capt, Davis, tired by excitement and the weight 
of his comrade, said : "• I don't see how we can get over that 
fence." But in an instant after, a ciinnon ball knocked it in 
jDieces and left the way clear. 

There are probably many old stories and traditions of the 
battle still remembered by the older of our inhabitants, which 
would be of much interest if collected. Mr. Asa M. Bodwell 
tells a story of James Ordway, who afterwards lived on the 
west side of Tower hill : 

Mr. Ordway, was in poor circumstances in his old age, and 
had a bad ulcer on his leg. Mr. Bodwell says that his father 
sent him one day to Mr. Ordway with a gallon of rum to 
bathe his lame leg, and with it a message saying that the 
rum was sent to pay for throwing stones at the battle of 
Bunker Hill ! The story being, that when the ammunition gave 
out, at the close of the battle, Ordway laid down his gun and 
threw stones at the British until driven out. It is impossible 
to imagine the intense anxiety with which our ancestors, who 
remained at home, must have listened throughout that long 
summer day, to the roar of artillery, which, tradition says, 
could be plainly heard. The anxiety must have been two-fold ; 
first to know on which side the victory would rest in the un- 
equal contest, and also whether the booming of the guns which 
they heard with such terrible distinctness was not the death 
knell of the dear ones whom they knew were in the fight. 
Such forebodings were not unfounded, for Methuen lost three 
men on that day. Ebenezer Herrick was killed in the battle ; 
Joseph Hibbard was wounded and died Jvne 20; James In- 
galls was wounded and died July 8. 

It is impossible to ascertain the number of soldiers Methuen 
had in the Revolutionary war, without making a more extend- 
ed examination of the State records than tht^ tune allowed for 
the preparation of this paper will admit. The town records 



32 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

give no information on this point, but there is little doubt that 
Methuen kept her quota in the field. There are stories told 
in town of events that happened to Methuen men who went 
to fight Burgoyne, and also to others who were stationed on 
the coast. During those years the town business went on as 
usual. Mr. Sargent's salary was voted by the town each year 
unil 1778, after which we find no record of money raised by the 
totvn to support the minister. A committee of Safety and Cor- 
respondence was appointed each year, and in Februarj^, 1778, 
the town voted that the Selectmen should supply the families 
of soldiers in the Continental Army with the necessaries of 
life. 

At the same meeting the town was called upon to see what 
instructions it would give to their Representative, relative to a 
resolve of the Continental Congress for all the United States 
of America to join in a perpetual union with one another. 
The subject was referred to a committee consisting of Major 
Bodwell, Capt. James Jones, Col. Thomas Poor, Lieut. John 
Huse and Mr. Enoch Merrill. At an adjourned meeting the 
question was put whether the town would receive and accept 
the Articles of Confederation and perpetual union, and "voted 
in the affirmative." The currency question seems to have 
troubled our fathers at this time, for we find a vote passed in 
April, " that those who refuse to take the Continental currency 
should be treated as enemies, and published in the Boston 
newspapers." The i^apid decrease in value of this currency 
is shown by the fact, that while in '77 £30 was raised to re- 
pair highways, in '81 £6000 was raised for the same purpose 

In 1780, the new Constitution of the State of Massachu- 
setts took effect, and in that year we find the first record of a 
vote for Governor and Senators. That party feeling did not 
run very high is evident from the fact that for the office of 
Governor, John Hancock had sixty-four votes and James Bow- 



OF METHUEN. 33 

doin, two. The town furnished the equipments for its soldiers 
and towards the end of the war we find recorded votes to fur- 
nish beef and corn. 

In the fall of 17S0 Methuen furnished S7S0 pounds of beef, 
and hired sixteen men ; the next year the town furnishod 
twelve men. We find nothing in the town records to indicate 
the end' of the war except a vote to sell the entrenching tools 
belonging to the town. Judging from the census returns, and 
tax lists, it seems that Methuen grew but litde in wealth and 
population during the forty years subsequent to the Revolution- 
ary war. In the war of 181 3, Methuen sent her proportion of 
men to meet the old enemy. Some of the sui-vivors are with 
us to this day. Our townsman, Mr. Geo. W. Pecker, one of 
the veterans of the war, tells us that the number of men called 
from Methuen was not large. They were mostly stationed to 
defend the forts along the coast. We are told, however, that 
a small company went from Methuen to nleet the British in 
Canada, and that they were present at the surrender of Hull. 

In 1793, a company was organized to build a bridge over 
the Merrimack, at Bodwell's falls. Soon after, a meeting was 
held to see if the town would send a remonstrance to the Gen- 
eral Court against its erection. This proposition was decided 
in thenegative. The opponents of the bridge then called a meet- 
ing to see if the town would petition the General Court to or- 
der the proprietors to pay the cost of the town roads leading to 
the bridge. This, also, was voted down, and the town decide 
ed to repair the road over Currant's hill to New Hampshire 
line. Up to that dme, ferries had furnished the only means of 
crossing the Merrimack. We find mention of five diHerent 
ferries, as follows : 

" Gage's Ferry," near the house of Samuel Cross. 
" Swan's Ferry," at Wingate's farm. 



34 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

••' Marston's Ferry," at the Alms House. Lawrence. 
" Bodwell's Fern,-," at the Pumping Station. " 
*• Han-is' Fen-}-." a little east of Dracut line. 

The Bridge was built shortly after, and for some years the 
travel from thence to New Hampshire passed over '* Currants 
hill." The " Turnpike" was built in 1805-6, by an incorpor- 
ated compan\-. A system of toll was established, but it caused 
such dissatisfaction that in a few years it was made a public 
road. We are told that, at the beginning of this centur}-, there 
were onh' six houses in the now thickly settled part of ^Nlethu- 
en Village : — 
" The Miller Cross House," corner of Hampshire and Lowell 

streets. 
'• Sargent House." w^here hotel stands. 
" Dea. Frye." Butter's place. 
" Swan Place," David Xevins' Farm. 
" Jona. Cluff House," mill yard. 
"John Sargent." at elm tree, by mill yard. 

There was then one grist mill, a little south of Fulton's 
store, another on the opposite side of the river, and a fulling 
mill just below the foot-bridge at the falls. The first store in 
town was opened by Abial Howe at a building on Howe St. , 
nearlv opposite the house of Charles L. Tozier. The exact 
date is unknown, but it is within the recollection of persons 
now living. The tow-n, at that time, and long afterwards was 
a farming communit}'. Their markets were so far away that 
their money incomes must have been small. They depended 
on the citv- of Salem as a market for tlieir produce, and their 
wood and timber was rafted to Xewbursport. 

These two places were the only outlets of importance for 
their surplus products until after the Citj' of Low-ell was 
started. Then, everything except wood was cai'ried there, 



OF METHUEN. 35 

and the fanners found the new market greatly for their advan- 
tage. Lowell continued to be the principal market for agri- 
cultural products until the building of Lawrence furnished a 
more convenient, and in some respects, better market than 
Lowell, and giive the farmers of Methuen as good facilities for 
the successful cultivation of the land, as can be found in any 
part of 'New England. Nevertheless, it is a curious fact which 
we shall not attempt to discuss, that the population of Methuen 
outside of the village is no larger in 1S76 than at the beginning 
of the Revolutionarv war. 

From the old traditions, we should judge that the manufac- 
ture of hats has been carried on in Methuen from a very early 
date. No doubt in a very small way at first, but there are sev- 
eral places in the east part of the town pointed out as the site 
of '•' hatters' shops." The work was then done entirely by 
hand, and half a doz^n men or less could carry on the whole 
business of a shop. With the introduction of machinery, the 
business has been concentrated into a few factories, which 
have largely increased the production, and now make up a very 
important portion of the business of the town. 

A similar statement would, perhixps, be true of the shoe 
business. In the early times shoemaking was not carried on 
to so great an extent as hatting. But within the recollection 
of many of us, there was a shoemaker's shop in every neigh- 
borhood and at nearly every house in town. Shoes were then 
all made by hand and the woi^kmen took out the stock for a 
"set" and carried it home to make. In a still summer day it 
was almost impossible to get away from the noise of the shoe- 
maker's hammer, which sounded like the drumming of a part- 
ridge, as he gave the shoe a few final raps after he finished 
driving the pegs. This business, as every one knows, is now 
centred in factories where by the use of machinery the manu- 
facture is largely increased. In past times it is probable that 



38 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

Legislature. Their efiorts were unsuccessful, and Methuen 
lost a large section of her territory. The publication of a 
newspaper, called the ''Methuen Falls Gazette" was com- 
menced here in Januar}-, 1835, by S. ]. Varney. It had a 
short existence, and since then there has been no weekly pa- 
per until the publication of the " Transcript " the present year. 

Old residents of the town will call to mind many matters of 
much interest in their day, such as the bickerings about the en- 
forcement of the liquor law, the eflbrts made to suppress the 
liqor traffic in Salem, the contests over the dividing lines of 
school districts, and the building of new roads, but they need 
not be recited here. From 1S50 to 1S65 there was little change 
in population. 

In i860, came the war which laid its hand so heavily on the 
whole land. The events of that time are so fresh in the mem- 
orv of every one that it is needless to recount them with mi- 
nuteness. The first action by the town was taken in April. 
1S61, when the sum of five thousand dollars was voted for the 
purpose of arming, equipping and furnishing volunteers. A 
committee, consisting of the Selectmen. Eben Sawyer, J. P. 
Flint. John C. Webster and Daniel Currier, was appointed 
'• to disburse the money. In August of that year, the town 
voted to pay State Aid to the families of volunters according 
to law. In July, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of one 
hundred dollars to each volunteer when mustered into the 
United States service. At that time forty-seven men were 
called for ; on the second of August the town held another 
meeting in which it was voted to pay two hundred dollars in 
addition to the sum already voted — making three hundred in 
all — to volunteers when mustered into the service. Immedi- 
ately after came another order from the President for 300.000 
"nine months men." A meeting was at once called to adopt 
measures to obtain the number required from Methuen. It was 



OF METHUEN. 39 

voted to pay one hundred and fifty dollars to each nine months 
man when mustered in and credited to the town. The next 
call for recruits came in November, 1S63, and the town voted 
" to fill its quota under the call for 300,000 men." It also 
voted to pay the families of drafted men the same State Aid 
that was paid to families of volunteers. In May, 1874, the Se- 
lectmen were authorized to pay one hundred and twenty-five 
dollars bounty to volunteers in anticipation of a call from the 
President for more men. After this time, however, few re- 
cruits were mustered in. The volunteers from Methuen were 
scattered through several difierent regiments, but the largest 
number was in Company B, ist Heavy Artillery, Leverett 
Bradley, Captain. 

The heaviest blow received by Methuen men was in the 
battle of Spotsylvania, where fifteen were killed and many 
more wounded. The news that the company from Methuen 
had suffered heavily in the battle, caused great excitement 
throughout the town, and a meeting of the citizens was im- 
mediately held. Resolutions expressive of sympathy and con- 
dolence were passed, and it was voted to send an agent to look 
after the wounded. 

It ought to be mentioned here that the Methuen company 
held an honoi^able position in this regiment of eighteen hun- 
dred men. At the battle of June 16, the regimental color- 
bearer was twice shot down. Our well-known townsman, 
Albert L. Dame, was then given this honorable and danger- 
ous place in the regiment, and had the honor of carrying them 
to the end of the war, and delivering them up to the State. 

The number of men lost by Methuen during the war was 
fifty-two, exclusive of those serving in the navy. According 
to Gen. Schouler, the town "furnished three hundred and 
twenty-five men for the war, which was a surplus of fifty-one 
over and above all demands. Fifteen were commissioned of- 



40 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

ficers. The whole amount of mone}- appropriated and ex- 
pended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State 
Aid, was $38,651.73. In addition to this amount, $7,500.00 
were gratuitously given by individual citizens to aid soldiers' 
families and encourage recruiting." The total amount of State 
Aid which has been paid to soldiers and their families in this 
town up to Feb. i, 1876, is $43,334.37. There was about a 
thousand dollars in money raised by fairs and levees, and the 
ladies of Methuen devoted a great deal of time to work for the 
soldiers. There were two societies, the Sanitarv and Chris- 
tian Commission which performed a vast amount of work 
whose value cannot be measured in dollars and cents. 

Thus it appears that there must have been paid out in this 
town, directly on account of the war, more than ninety thous- 
and dollars. As we look back over the record of Methuen in 
the recent conflict, on the readiness with ^vhich our men mus- 
tered in the field, and the heartiness with which they were 
supported by those left at home, we cannot help believing that 
this genei-ation has proved itself not unworthy its Revolution- 
ary ancestry. 

In 1836 or '37, a small fire engine, the '"Tiger," was bought, 
one-half the cost being paid by the Methuen Co., and the oth- 
er half by Major Osgood, John Davis, Thomas Thaxter, Geo. 
A. Waldo, and J. W. Carleton. Thomas Thaxter was the 
first foreman. There is no evidence to show that the ioivfi had 
any concern in its management. This was the only protection 
against fire until 1846, when the Selectmen were authorized 
to purchase a new fii-e engine and hose, and erect a house. 
This engine (the Spiggot) was manned by an active and ef- 
ficient company, and did good service till 1870, when the 
steamer, E. A. Straw, was purchased and the " Spiggot" laid 
aside. 

One of the first things done by the old settlers, was to lay 



OF METHUEN. . 41 

out a place to bury their dead. In 182S, the town voted "that 
there should be a gi-aveyard provided in the town, somewhere 
near the meeting-house," and chose Wm. Whittier and Josh- 
ua Swan to measure and bound out the said graveyard ! Their 
report to the town describes the lot as follows : "Beginning 
with a small pine tree marked with the letter B, thence run- 
ning southerly to a pine stump marked with B twenty rods in 
length, thence to a pine tree marked with a B, north-easterly 
about six or seven rods in width, and so to another pine tree 
marked with a B, north-westerly about twenty rods, and so to 
the bounds first mentioned." This was undoubtedly the north 
end of the 'old burying-ground " on Meeting-House Hill. In 
1803 it was enlarged "on the south side" and a hearse was 
purchased " for the more convenient solemnization of funerals." 
In 1772 the Selectmen were ordered to lay out a burying-ground 
in the west part of the town. They laid out one-fourth of an 
acre, on land given for the purpose, by Richard Whittier. 
This yard is still used by citizens, and at the last annual meet- 
ing a sum was voted to enlarge it. The burying-ground on 
Lawrence street was purchased and laid out about 1830. 
These three burial places comprise those owned by the town. 
Walnut Grove Cemetery was laid out by an association of indi- 
viduals in 1853. 

As has been already stated, the church and minister were 
supported by a town tax for many years. The last record of 
a town appropriation 'for the support of a minister, was in 
1778. The "athadoxt" meeting-house first built, stood on 
"Meeting-House Hill," near the old burying-ground, and ap- 
pears to have been the only place for public worship in the 
town for neai-ly fifty years. 

In 1796, the old house was torn down and a new one built 
on the same spot. The building of this house seems to have 
excited much interest throughout the town, and it is a curious 



40 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

ficers. The whole amount of money appropriated and ex- 
pended by the town on account of the war. exckisive of State 
Aid, was $38,651.73. In addition to this amount, $7,500.00 
were gratuitously given by individual citizens to aid soldiers' 
families and encourage recruiting." The total amount of State 
Aid which has been paid to soldiers and their families in this 
town up to Feb. i, 1S76, is $43,324.37. There was about a 
thousand dollars in money raised by fairs and levees, and the 
ladies of Methuen devoted a great deal of time to work for the 
soldiers. There were two societies, the Sanitary and Chris- 
tian Commission which performed a vast amount of work 
whose value cannot be measured in dollars and cents. 

Thus it appears that there must have been paid out in this 
town, directly on account of the war, more than ninety thous- 
and dollars. As we look back over the record of Methuen in 
the recent conflict, on the readiness with which our men mus- 
tered in the field, and the heartiness with which they were 
supported by those left at home, we cannot help believing that 
this generation has proved itself not unworthy its Revolution- 
ary ancesti'y. 

In 1836 or '37. a small fire engine, the '-Tiger," was bought, 
one-half the cost being paid by the Methuen Co., and the oth- 
er half by Major Osgood, John Davis, Thomas Thaxter, Geo. 
A. Waldo, and J. W. Carleton. Thomas Thaxter was the 
first foreman. There is no evidence to show that the town liad 
any concern in its management. This was the only protection 
against fire until 1846, when the Selectmen were authorized 
to purchase a new fire engine and hose, and erect a house. 
This engine (the Spiggot) was manned by an active and ef- 
ficient company, and did good sei-vice till 1870, when the 
steamer, E. A. Sti-aw, was purchased and the " Spiggot" laid 
aside. 

One of the first things done by the old settlers, was to lay 



OF METHUEN. 41 

out a place to buiy their dead. In 1S2S, the town voted "that 
there should be a graveyard provided in the town, somewhere 
near the meeting-house," and chose Wm. Whittier and Josh- 
ua Swan to measure and bound out the said graveyard I Their 
report to the town describes the lot as follows : "Beginning 
with a small pine tree marked with the letter B, thence run- 
ning southerly to a pine stump marked with B twenty rods in 
length, thence to a pine tree marked with a B, north-easterly 
about six or seven rods in width, and so to another pine tree 
marked with a B, north-westerly about twenty rods, and so to 
the bounds first mentioned." This was undoubtedly the north 
end of the ' old burying-ground " on Meeting-House Hill. In 
1803 it was enlarged "on the south side" and a hearse was 
purchased " for the more convenient solemnization of funerals." 
In 1772 the Selectmen were ordered to lay out a burying-ground 
in the west part of the town. They laid out one-fourth of an 
acre, on land given for the purpose, by Richard Whittier, 
This yard is still used by citizens, and at the last annual meet- 
ing a sum was voted to enlarge it. The burying-ground on 
Lawrence street was purchased and laid out about 1830. 
These three burial places comprise those owned by the town. 
Walnut Grove Cemetery was laid out by an association of indi- 
viduals in 1853. 

As has been already stated, the church and minister were 
supported by a town tax for "many years. The last record of 
a town appropriation for the support of a minister, was in 
1778. The "athadoxt" meeting-house first built, stood on 
"Meeting-House Hill," near the old burying-ground, and ap- 
pears to have been the only place for public worship in the 
town for nearly fifty years. 

In 1796, the old house was torn down and a new one built 
on the same spot. The building of this house seems to have 
excited much interest throughout the town, and it is a curious 



42 . HISTORICAL SKETCH 

fact, illustrating the habits of the time, that it was voted. 
'• That the spectators be given a drink of grog apiece at the 
raising.'* 

As the village sprung up around Spicket falls, "Meeting 
House Hill " ceased to be the most central place, and to better 
accommodate the congregation, it was decided, in 1832, to re- 
move tlie house to the spot now occupied bv th^ stone meet- 
ing-house. It stood there until 1S55, when the wooden house 
was torn down, and the present stone house erected. 

In 1766, a second church was organized, with Rev. Eliphaz 
Chapman, pastor. Soon after the '• Second Parish" was formed 
by act of the Legislature. We understand that under this ar- 
rangement every taxable person in town was taxed for the 
support of the minister, but he paid to the parish instead of 
the town. The meeting-house is said to have stood near the 
house of Leonard Wheeler. It was afterwards located near 
the house of Stephen W. Williams, whence it was removed 
to Lawrence and afterwards burnt. 

The Second Parish existed for half a century — until 1S16 — 
when it was united with the First Parish. In 1S30 it was 
again organized, but was again united with the old church 
and parish. At present there is but one Congregational church 
in the town. 

The next church, in point of age, is the Baptist. From an 
historical discourse delivered at the semi-centennial celebra- 
tion of that church and societ\-. we' gather the following 
statements : For many years there had been persons of that 
faith scattered through the town. It is said that a Baptist 
church was constituted in the west part of the town some time 
in the last centuiy. but no records of its formation or subse- 
quent proceedings are to be found. The house in which they 
worshipped was built about 1778, near the burying-ground 
west of the Bartlet farm. The number of persons holding 



OF METHUEN. 43 

that faith increased until 1815, when a church was constituted 
and steps taken for building a meeting-house. Several sites 
were contemplated, but it was at last voted to build a '' two 
story meeting-house " on a half-acre lot given by Bailey Davis — 
where the present house now stands. In 1840 the house was 
rebuilt on the old site, and stood until Sunday, March 14, 1869, 
when it took fire, during the morning service, and was totally 
destroyed. The society erected the house which is now stand- 
ing, in the following summer, on the old spot. This church is 
the only one of its denomination in the town. 

The Universalist church and society was formed in 1824. 
For some time previous to the erection of a meeting-house, the 
congregation held their services in a hall in "Wilson Build- 
ing." As the society grew in numbers and strength, it built 
the meeting-house which it now occupies. The house and 
grounds have, however, been remodeled and much improved 
in appearance within a few years. This church is the only 
one of its denomination in the town. 

We are informed that the Methodist church was first organ- 
ized in Methuen in 1833 or '34. For four or five years meet- 
ings were held in " Wilson's Hall." A meeting-house was 
then built, which was occupied a few years and then sold to 
the town, and used as a school-house. After that time the 
church held its meetings for many years in the town-house. 
In 1 87 1 it built a meeting-house at the junction of Lowell 
and Pelham streets, and is evidently in a prosperous condition. 
In 1833, or thereabouts, there was an Episcopal church formed 
in Methuen. Little can be learned about it, and it seems to 
have had a short existence as an organized body. 

Of the social and charitable organizations in town, the Ma- 
sons and Odd Fellows claim a passing notice. About 1825 
Grecian Lodge, F. A. A. M., was formed in Methuen, and 
seems to have prospered for a time, but in the Anti-Masonic 



44 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



excitement some years after, it surrendered its charter. After 
Lawrence commenced, the Lodge re-organized under the old 
charter, but within the limits of Lawrence. John Hancock 
Lodge was constituted in i860, and now has 138 members. 
It holds its meetings in Currier's building. 

Hope Lodge, of Odd Fellows, was instituted in 1844, and 
held its meetings in Currier's building. It surrendered its 
charter to the Grand Lodge in 1855. The Lodge was re-in 
stated in 1869, and since that time appears to have flourished. 
It has its meetings in " Corliss' Building," and numbers no 
members. 

The growth of the town, and the temper of the times are in 
some measure indicated by the amount of money raised for 
municipal purposes. Hence we present the following table. 
The item of "town charges" does not include appropriations for 
special purposes : 





Ministry. 


Schools. 


Highivay. 


Town charges. 


1726 


£45 & 'diat' 


£3-ios 




£130 


1730 


80 


Uncertain 




60 


1740 


80 


u 


£100 


80 


1750 


57 


'' 


1 1 


20 


1760 


53-7 


1.1. 


50 


30 


1770 


49-14 


1.1. 


60 


70 


1780 




500 


2000 


6000 


1790 




30 


150 


100 


1800 




$ 300 


$700 


$800 


I8IO 




450 


1200 


700 


1820 




500 


1200 


1500 


1830 




800 


1500 


1200 


1840 




1000 


1500 


2500 


1850 




1700 


iSoo 


3500 


i860 




2500 


1800 


3500 


1870 




7000 


3000 


10,900 


1876 




8000 


4000 


1 1 ,050 



OF METHUEN. 45 

The period of ten years just ended, has undoubtedly been 
the most prosperous of any in the town's history. The in- 
crease in wealth and population, is shown by the following 
figures, obtained at the Bureau of Statistics of Labor. The 
first official census was taken in 1765, hence it is impossible to 
ascertain the population prior to that time. 



Date. 


Populatiofi. 




1765 


933 


Colon 


ial Census 


1776 


1326 


- 


" 


1790 


1297 


United States Ce 


1800 


1253 


'^ 




1810 


1181 


!.<• 




1820 


1371 


" 




1830 


2006 


" 




1840 


2251 


" 




1850 


2538 


" 




i860 


2566 


u 




1865 


2576 


State 


< 


1870 


2959 


United States ' 


1875 


4205 


State 


' 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCH 



INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS, 1875. 



MANUFACTURES. 






Number. 


Capital 
Invested. 


Value of Goods 
Manufactured. 


Boots and shoes, 


3 


$130,000 


$420,000 


Cotton and jute goods, 


I 


90,000 


609,942 


Harnesses, 


I 


1,000 


4,000 


Hats, woolen, 


3 


85 ,000 


610,000 


Stoves and tinware. 


2 


5ooo 


11,500 


Woolen shawls and cloaking. 


I 


150,000 


350.750 


OCCUPATIONS. 




Blacksmithing 


3 


1,600 


8,400 


Butchering, 


5 


2,600 


36,900 


Carpentering and joinery, 


2 


3v';oo 


38,000 


Harness and saddle repairing 




600 


600 


Hat-tip printing, 




550 


850 


Masoning, 




1,000 


10,000 


Painting, 


3 


1,250 


5,000 


Roofing, 




500 


200 


Stone-cutting and dressing. 




500 


2,300 


Tinsmithing, 




3,100 


1,500 


Watch repairing, 




300 


2,000 


Wheelwrighting, 




1,500 


4,000 


AGGREGATES. 




Manufactures (goods made), 


1 1 


461,500 


2,006,192 


Occupations (work done). 


22 


17,000 


109,750 



33 $478,500 $2,115,942 

Value of domestic and agricultural products, 1875, $230,802 



OF METHUEN. 47 

The increase in value of the manufactures of Methuen, in 
ten years, is as follows : 

1865 $766,872 Gold at $1.57 

1875 2,115,942 Gold at' 1. 12 

These values in gold would be, 

1865 $488,453 
1875 1,889,234 

Thus it appeai-s that the actual value of the manufactures of 
the town nearly quadrupled during the last ten years. The in- 
crease in population, in that time, was 1629, or 64 per cent., a 
rate of increase greater than that of any other town in Massa- 
chusetts. 

When the census was taken in 1875, it was found that there 
were about 3000 inhabitants in Methuen village, showing that 
the increase in population was in the manufacturing, rather 
than the agricultural pai't of the town. 

The . following figures, taken from the valuation books, 
show the changes in different classes of taxable property for 
ten years : 





1863. 


iSyo. 


1876. 


Polls, 


651 


880 


1,101 


Real estate, 


$954^963 


$1,261,077 


$1,709,900 


Personal estate, 


308,084 


543.250 


600,870 


Total tax. 


24,849.80 


33415-67 


37'5ii-57 


Rate per thousand, 


18.81 


17-35 


^5-30 


No. dwelling-houses. 


455 


519 


649 


No. horses. 


262 


319 


447 


No. cows. 


645 


722 


907 


No. sheep. 


106 


18 


6 



No. of acres taxed in town, 13,283. 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

From these statistics it will be seen at once that we have of 
late been passing through a remarkable period of material 
growth. There has been no greixi speculative rise in the value 
of property, and no such depreciation within a year or two, as 
is almost universal throughout the country. The variety of 
manufaciuring interests in the town, the proximity to Law- 
rence, and close connection by the horse railroad — which has 
been in operation since 1867 — have combined to prevent that 
utter stagnation in business which is so severely felt in many 
manufacturing towns. Within a year, about twenty dwelling- 
houses have been built, and nearly ten thousand dollars expend- 
ed in special public improvements. 

We have thus given an imperfect outline of the history of 
Methuen, to the present time, and close our sketch with the 
full knowledge that much of interest has been omitted. 

Had there been sufficient opportunity we should have been 
glad to collect and record more of the old legends of the early 
days, and to have ascertained more facts in relation to our 
Revolutionary soldiers. It would also have been interesting 
to trace the history of the men who have been prominent in 
guiding the affairs, and influencing the character of the town, 
for the last century and a half. But, as was said in the outset, 
the time allotted to examine records and prepare this paper, 
has not permitted a more perfect or extended history than is 
here given. 

We submit it to the charitable consideration of the reader 
in the hope that it will be estimated by what has been done, 
regardless of what is omitted. 



Lu 



J&'31 



